CPIM names M Swaraj as LDF candidate for Kerala bypoll on June 19
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday announced M Swaraj as the Left Democratic Front's (LDF) candidate for the Nilambur Assembly by-election in Kerala, setting the stage for a heated contest with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which has already named Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate.The by-election, scheduled for June 19, was necessitated by the resignation of PV Anvar, who had won the seat twice with LDF support. Anvar stepped down after falling out with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, citing issues with the Chief Minister's political secretary and Additional Director General of Police Ajith Kumar. He subsequently joined the Trinamool Congress. His exit has sparked tensions within the UDF, as Anvar is reportedly opposed to Shoukath's candidacy.advertisementCPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan made the announcement following the party state secretariat meeting. Swaraj, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly who represented the Tripunithura constituency from 2016 to 2021, hails from Nilambur in Malappuram district. He is currently a member of the CPI(M) state secretariat. He lost to Congress candidate K Babu in the 2021 elections.
Announcing Swaraj's candidature, Govindan said the LDF aims to make a 'significant advance' in the Nilambur by-election. He noted that Swaraj was selected with the understanding that the by-poll would be among the most intense political contests in recent times. He also described Nilambur as a politically important constituency.Govindan sharply criticised Anvar, calling him a "Judas who betrayed the LDF" and remarked that Kerala is witnessing his 'pitiful state' as he struggles to find space within the Congress-led alliance.advertisementSpeaking to the media, Swaraj said that Nilambur has been historically favourable to the Left and that many people across political lines agree that the Left is best suited to govern the state. He expressed confidence that the election results would reflect continued public support for the LDF government.'The contest is not against individuals, but against anti-Left forces,' Swaraj stated, calling on secular-minded voters to ensure the continuation of the Left government.Responding to Swaraj's entry into the fray, Shoukath welcomed the contest. 'It's only when there is a defender on the field that the forward feels the thrill of scoring a goal,' he said in Kottayam.The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has not yet announced its candidate for the by-election. Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has announced Sadik Naduthodi, the party's Malappuram district vice president, as its candidate for the upcoming Nilambur by-election.This marks a shift in the party's approach, as SDPI had refrained from contesting the last by-election and Lok Sabha polls, instead extending support to the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
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